Barriers perpetuating the lack of casualty data from neglected conflict settings
By
Hannah B H Wild
Amila Ratnayake
S Yves G Sanou
Yves Aziz R Nacanabo
Akeza A Asgedom
Khalifa Lawan
Aparna Cheran
Selwyn O Rogers
Albert I Ko
Nicolas Meda
Sherry M Wren
December 10, 2025
Clinical Scorecard: Obstacles Hindering the Collection of Casualty Data in Overlooked Conflict Zones
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Challenges in collecting and publishing casualty data from neglected conflict zones Key Mechanisms Operational security constraints, limited research infrastructure, editorial biases Target Population Casualties and healthcare providers in low- and lower-middle-income conflict zones (e.g., Sudan, Tigray, Sahel) Care Setting Resource-constrained local health systems in active conflict zones
Key Highlights
Neglected conflicts in LMICs receive limited media coverage, funding, and research attention despite high human suffering. Operational security restrictions and editorial practices limit publication of casualty data from overlooked conflicts. Inconsistent editorial standards favor conflicts with widespread attention, impeding evidence generation for neglected zones. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Recognize the impact of asymmetric warfare and resource constraints on data collection in conflict zones. Management
Develop journal-specific criteria to standardize review processes for submissions from active conflict zones. Allow justified omissions of certain data (e.g., prehospital details) due to valid security constraints. Monitoring & Follow-up
Encourage transparent and consistent editorial practices to improve visibility of casualty data from neglected conflicts. Risks
Disparities in data reporting hinder understanding of injury patterns and care needs in overlooked conflict zones. Lack of data may perpetuate inequities in humanitarian response and medical research. Patient & Prescribing Data
Casualties in low-resource conflict settings with prolonged prehospital times and limited care access
Data from neglected conflicts may reveal unique injury epidemiology and care challenges relevant for local and international actors.
Clinical Best Practices
Use standardized trauma variables when possible to improve data comparability. Acknowledge and transparently report data limitations due to security or resource constraints. Promote equitable research partnerships to enhance local authorship and capacity. Advocate for fair editorial policies that apply consistent standards across all conflict zones. References
